Farah's on The Avenue Scheduled to Close this Month in Gainesville

Published September 5th, 2013

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GAINESVILLE- Owners of Farah's on the Avenue-- which has been in business more than 30 years-- say they've tried to stay open as long as they could but growing competition and rising costs have forced them to close.

September 15th is the mediterranean grill and hookah lounge's last scheduled day of business at their current University Avenue location.

Gainesville Regional Utilities will be raising its electricity costs by more than 12 percent this year for commercial customers.

Farah's owner Nick Farah Jr says, "that's why we closed for lunches for a couple of summers, for the simple fact of handling the utility bill, it had to be cost effective because you run up your highest utility bills when you have your lowest volume of business which is during the summer."

Despite his reasons for closing Farah says he won't be saying goodbye forever.

Farah will continue to own the Gainesville property.

A restaurant going by the name "Small China House," will move into the building on a five year lease.

Meanwhile, Farah will operate a catering business out of Jacksonville.